On Saturday 27 February 2016 between 6:00pm and midnight a business was entered on Hillcrest Road, Devonport.  Two brand new white Ford Ranger cab/chassis, single cab utes were stolen from the site.  The utes were not fitted with trays or registration plates.

At approximately 1:40am on Sunday 28 February 2016 one of the stolen utes was used to force entry into Richie’s IGA supermarket on Gilbert Street, Latrobe.  The ute was driven into an external wall numerous times and caused a considerable amount of damage to the building.   Two male offenders left the scene in the vehicle without taking any items from the supermarket.

At approximately 3:00am one of the Ford Ranger utes was set alight on North Henry Street, Latrobe and totally destroyed by fire.

The other white Ford Ranger ute has not been recovered.

Police believe cigarettes were being targeted at the supermarket.  Police encourage store holders to continuously review and update their security measures.

Police ask any person who has information that may relate to these matters to contact Devonport CIB on 131444 or through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.